Harpist Megan Sesma will perform during Acts 4 Ministry's fundraiser reception at the Palace Theater on April 9th.

Harpist Megan Sesma will perform during Acts 4 Ministry's fundraiser reception at the Palace Theater on April 9th. (Posted by barbara274, Community Contributor)

Community Contributor barbara274

Harpist Megan Sesma, who has performed in many diverse venues around the world, including the White House, Carnegie Hall, Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, and the Hollywood Bowl, will be the featured performer at Acts 4 Ministry, Inc.'s annual fundraising reception April 9th at the Palace Theater in Waterbury. "Inspiration: Inspiring acts of love" is the theme of the non-denominational, non-profit charitable organization's reception from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the theater's Grand Foyer.

"This event is a celebration of the many ways our organization impacts positive changes in the Greater Waterbury community," stated Sarah Elizabeth Carabetta, executive director of Acts 4 Ministry, Inc. in Waterbury. "Our organization supports the needs of families and individuals who are in dire financial distress and have lost virtually everything they possess to a fire, flood, or other devastating life event. We are tremendously honored to feature the revered talents of Megan Sesma for our guests." Inspirational sponsors of the event are Bourassa Catering & Events in Wallingford and Clermont & Associates, LLC in Prospect. Influential sponsors are the Connecticut Community Foundation and O'Rourke & Birch Florist.

A versatile orchestral, chamber music, and film session musician, Megan Sesma's experience has placed her under the batons of great conductors ranging from Neeme Jarvi and Yuri Temirkanov to John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith. She has also shared the stage with Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall and Dianne Reeves. Presently, Ms. Sesma is the 1st enlisted principal harpist with the United States Coast Guard Band, which in February 2003 added a harp position for the first time since its creation in 1925. She also substitutes with the New Haven Symphony, Rhode Island Philharmonic, Hartford Symphony, New Britain, Bridgeport, Manchester and other symphonies.

Ms. Sesma is also an adjunct professor of harp at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, and Connecticut College in New London, Conn.; harp instructor at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn.; and the New England Regional Director for the American Harp Society. She has performed with the Chicago Harp Quartet at the American Harp Society Conference in New Orleans; at Wesleyans Center for the Arts and Connecticut College with violinist Theodore Arm; at the World Harp Congress with the Eastman Harp Quartet and a tour of Taiwan performing concerts with the Coast Guard Band.

"Acts 4 Ministry is truly delighted to present the exceptional talents of Ms. Sesma to our supporters on April 9th," stated Carabetta. "Our organization is a collaborative group of a volunteer board of directors, staff and many volunteers who want to share God's love by meeting the physical needs of others. We achieve this goal daily on many levels by collecting and distributing, free-of-charge to recipients, clothing and housewares with an accommodating furniture program through volunteerism. Each year we distribute clothing to nearly 4,000 people, and over 1,000 pieces of furniture and housewares to people of varying income levels throughout the region."

The vision of Acts 4 is to build relationships with people while providing them with the basics of daily living needs. This organization partners with churches, social service agencies, and public schools to help identify and serve people with these needs in the context of the broader community regardless of their faith, race, creed, or national origin, or their willingness to participate in religious activities.

Tickets for the April 9th fundraiser are $45/person, and can be obtained by visiting the Events Page of www.Acts4.org, the Palace Theater Box Office 203-346-2000 or www.palacetheaterct.org.

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